Sporadic rain in Mumbai increases sting of malaria and dengue

Mosquito-borne ailments show no signs of reducing with over 400 malaria and 74 dengue cases reported in the city this month.

Doctors said irregular rainfall over the past week was to be blamed for the increase in breeding of mosquitoes.

According to municipal records, in September last year, close to 1,500 malaria and 242 dengue cases were reported.

“Dengue is very prevalent this year. We are admitting at least two to three patients every day as they have low platelet counts,” said Dr Alan Soares, physician, Holy Spirit Hospital, Andheri (East).

Soares said a majority of the cases were being reported from the Andheri-Jogeshwari belt. “We are seeing many patients from the same colony or area, which is a clear indication that mosquito breeding sites are near their homes.”

Incidentally, Maharashtra has reported one of the highest number of dengue and malaria deaths this year (see box). So far, four people have died of dengue this monsoon.